Chelsea, Di Matteo And Guardiola

Roman's Ruins

Isn’t there a concern though that managers simply won’t take the job when it is offered? “No”, says Nevin. “The likes of David Moyes might think it’s not for them but Abramovich is only doing what so many European clubs have done for so long and the big managers around the continent know the score, they know this is how it works. I feel sorry for Roberto but I won’t be playing too many violins for him. He will get a good pay-off and a cracker of a job wherever he goes next.”

But who next at Chelsea? Whatever the name or pedigree, it appears they'll be merely keeping the seat warm for when Guardiola submits to Roman's rubles. “Whoever it is, it will be a cracking manager, they always are", says Nevin. “Rafa Benitez has a great record but I know Chelsea fans well and he will have to do a lot — a hell of a lot — to be accepted, let alone loved.

Nevin also has a further word of warning on the Spaniard's presumed upside. “People say that it was Rafa who got the best out of Fernando Torres," he says. "But I’d argue that was actually Steven Gerrard and Yossi Benayoun who did so much creatively behind him.”

Nevin though is adamant that whoever comes through the revolving door at the Bridge will be pleased with what he finds. “Not too much is wrong at the football club," he says. "They have some wonderfully creative midfielders who will get better and better, they have one of the best keepers in the world, good full-backs. They need a striker and they need a little tweaking and that is why I would say to Chelsea fans, enjoy the ride.”

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